Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1887-04-23
Cen. AIbet sidney Johnson at shiloh.

llOn I'll outTillhI ITDnh lltiS hc tti- ,
countered Hardee's skirmish line, I'M
der Mai, Hardcastle. So the Federals,
who thought they were going To sur
prise on outpost, met an army. In this
skirmish Col. Moore fell severely
wounded. Gen. Summers outpost be-
ing situated very near Gen. Prentiss'
the first blow fell on the left brigade.
This lay in the pathway Of the impet-
uous Hindman, and Gen. Johnston
was already with him, urging him to
the assault. The swlftest of the fugitives
scattering through the Federal camps,
gave the alarm, and the rattle of the
musketry also gave sharper notice that
it was no common peril that threatened.
There was rallying IN hot haste, a
sudden summonlng to arms, and oher-
mans division woke to find the foe
pressing right upon them. Sherman
and Hilderbrand rode to and fro, en-
couraging the men, who were firing
brisk voleys. Just then Gen. Johnston
rode to the front. AT that moment
he and Sherman were confronted al
most within pistol shot, the one urging
the attack, the other trying in vain to
hold his line. But the Confederate
line, which had hung for a few min
utes only on the crest OF the hill, like a
storm cloud on the mountains bros,
now burst with a sudden impulse upon
Hilderband's camp. The firing ke.,t
up necessarily, and when midday ar
rived "there had been four hours OF
heavy fighting, during which the Fed
eral center had not been moved. The
right had been broken; its left was
forced back and doubled on itself; and
Hurlbut had more than once fallen
. back, retiring his left, in order to cor
rect his alignment But there his com
J mand stood, dealing slaughter on every
attempt at advance. His position was
/ evidently the KEY and it was necessary
to break down the stubborn defense
that maintained 1t. 1t WAS for this that
/, Breckinridge's reserves, the only
= brigades which had not been engaged,
: were brought forward. Gen. john
:. ston's purpose was to destroy Grants
army that day The afternoon was
> upon him. The final blow must be
> struck. Statham's brigade was sent in
about noon. The brigade now found
! itself welcomed by fearful blaze OF
G muskeLry and artillery, and in getting
u into line suffered enough to fall into
some confusion"
e "We can imagine" says Col VIM.
|, Preston Johnston, "Gen. Johnston just
d previous to
IS HIS DEATH.
8 He rode out in front and slowly down
:, the line. lis hat was of. His sword
r rested on its scabbard In his right
II hand he held little tin cup, the men
is oral Of an incident that had occurred
I early in the day. AS they were passing
1t through captured camp an officer
e had brought from tent number OF
II valuable articles, calling Gen. Johnston s
J. attention TO them. He answered with
n some sternness None OF that sir; we
81 are not here for plumber And then,
y as il regretting the sharpness OF the re-
n buke, for the anger CT the just cuts deep,
1t he added, taking this little tin cup;
Let this be my share of the spolls
Ie to-day II was this plaything, which,
D holding it between two fingers, he en-
II ployed more effectively in his natural
J. and simple gesticuation than most men
:, could have used sword. His pres
ence was full OF inspiration. lie sat
st his beautiful thoroughbred bay Fire
10 Eater, with easy communicative a
,, statue OF Victory. His voice was per-
y suasive, encouraging, and compelling
a 1t was inviting men 70 death, but they
% abeyed it. But most of all it was the
Ie light in his gray eyes and his splendid
re presence, full OF the Joy OF combat that
e wrought upon them. His words were
1t few. He touched their bayOnets with
e significant gesture. These must do the
rs work, he said. Men they are stub
he born; we must use the bayonets.
= When he reached the center OF the line
n he turned. 4 will lead you! he cried,
p and moved toward the enemy. The
m line WAS already thrilling and trembling
* with that tremendous and irreslstl BILE
n ardor which i'll battle decides the day.
he Those nearest to him, as if drawn 10
Is him by some overmastering magnetic
is force, rushed forward around him with
es might shout. The rest of the line
~ took it up, and echoed it with wild
ey yell Of defiance and desperate purpose,
IS and moved forward at charge with
rapid and resistless step. A sheet oil
Id fame burst from the Federal strong
TO hold, and blazed along the crest Of the
ridge There was roar oil cannon and
Is musketry--a storm OF leaden and iron
mt hail. The Confederate line wllhered
At and the dead and dying strewed the
I'd dark valley. But there was not ar
instant's pause. Right up the steeI
at they went. The crest was gained
The enemy were in hight--a few scat
ms terlng shot replying to the ringing
k. cheers OF the victorious Conlederales
re- "Gen. Johnston had passed through
H. the ordeal seemingly unhurt Hi
noble horse was shot IN four places, hi
ap clothes were pierced by missiles, hi
he boot-sole was cut and torn by mimic
)st but if he himself had received an,
severe wound he did not know it
eg At this moment Gov. Harris rode ~
Ill from the right, elated with his owl
m success and with the vindication of hi
et Tennesseans. Alter few words, Gen
le, Johnston sent him with an order t
nj Col Statham, winch, having delivered
he speedily returned In the mean
'ar time knots and prOtlus Of Federal sol